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Post by randomone on Jul 5, 2019 20:11:48 GMT -6
Like what I did for the Best of the Super Juniors, I'm going to be doing little write ups for the most highly anticipated wrestling tournament of the year. If everyone stays healthy, we're looking at 91 matches over the span of 19 shows (5 tournament matches per show, then the Final). For those unfamiliar, here's a run down of everyone who is involved. I hope you guys check this tournament out, it's going to be crazy this year, like always.
Block A
"Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada (8th G1 - 2012, 2014 Winner & Current IWGP World Champion)
"The Technical Wizard" Zack Sabre Jr. (3rd G1 - RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion)
"Once in a Century Talent" Hiroshi Tanahashi (18th G1 - 2007, 2015 & 2018 Winner - 2004, 2010, 2013 Finalist)
"Golden Star" Kota Ibushi (5th G1 - 2018 Finalist)
"King of Darkness" EVIL (4th G1)
"Cold Skull" SANADA (4th G1)
"The Rogue General" Bad Luck Fale (6th G1)
"The American Psycho" Lance Archer (5th G1)
"The Aerial Assassin" Will Ospreay (1st G1 - Current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion & Best of Super Juniors Tournament Winner)
KENTA
(1st G1)
B Block
"Switch Blade" Jay White (2nd G1)
"Mr. Athletic" Jeff Cobb (1st G1 - Current PWG Heavyweight Champion)
"Death Rider" Jon Moxley (1st G1 - Current IWGP United States Champion)
"The Dragon" Shingo Takagi (1st G1)
Taichi (1st G1)
Tetsuya Naito (10th G1 - 2013 & 2017 Winner - 2011 Finalist - Current IWGP Intercontinental Champion)
"The Stone Pitbull" Tomohiro Ishii (7th G1 - Current NEVER Openweight Champion)
Juice Robinson (3rd G1)
Toru Yano (14th G1 - Co-Holder NEVER Openweight 6-Man Championship)
Hirooki Goto
(12th G1 - 2008 Winner - 2016 Finalist)
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Post by randomone on Jul 5, 2019 20:13:40 GMT -6
Full Schedule
Saturday, July 6 @ American Airlines Center, Dallas Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer EVIL vs. Bad Luck Fale SANADA vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Kota Ibushi vs. KENTA Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Saturday, July 13 @ Ota General Gymnasium, Tokyo Juice Robinson vs. Shingo Takagi Jon Moxley vs. Taichi Toru Yano vs. Tetsuya Naito Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jeff Cobb Hirooki Goto vs. Jay White
Sunday, July 14 @ Ota General Gynasium, Tokyo Lance Archer vs. Bad Luck Fale Will Ospreay vs. SANADA Kazuchika Okada vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Kota Ibushi vs. EVIL Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. KENTA
Monday, July 15 @ Hokkaido Sports Center, Hokkaido Toru Yano vs. Shingo Takagi Juice Robinson vs. Hirooki Goto Jeff Cobb vs. Jon Moxley Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jay White Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi
Thursday, July 18 @ Korakuen Hall, Tokyo KENTA vs. Lance Archer EVIL vs. SANADA Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay
Friday, July 19 @ Korakuen Hall, Tokyo Shingo Takagi vs. Taichi Juice Robinson vs. Jeff Cobb Toru Yano vs. Jay White Hirooki Goto vs. Tetsuya Naito Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jon Moxley
Saturday, July 20 @ Korakuen Hall, Tokyo Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Bad Luck Fale Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Lance Archer KENTA vs. EVIL Kota Ibushi vs. SANADA Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay
Wednesday, July 24 @ Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall, Hiroshima Juice Robinson vs. Toru Yano Hirooki Goto vs. Taichi Jon Moxley vs. Shingo Takagi Jeff Cobb vs. Jay White Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tetsuya Naito
Saturday, July 27 @ Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Aichi Kota Ibushi vs. Lance Archer Will Ospreay vs. Bad Luck Fale EVIL vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. SANADA Kazuchika Okada vs. KENTA
Sunday, July 28 @ Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Aichi Hirooki Goto vs. Toru Yano Juice Robinson vs. Tomohiro Ishii Jeff Cobb vs. Taichi Shingo Takagi vs. Jay White Tetsuya Naito vs. Jon Moxley
Tuesday, July 30 @ Takamatsu City General Gymnasium Arena 1, Kagawa Kota Ibushi vs. Bad Luck Fale Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Kazuchika Okada vs. Lance Archer KENTA vs. SANADA Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. EVIL
Thursday, Aug. 1 @ Fukuoka Citizen Gymnasium, Fukuoka Jeff Cobb vs. Shingo Takagi Toru Yano vs. Jon Moxley Juice Robinson vs. Tetsuya Naito Taichi vs. Jay White Tomohiro Ishii vs. Hirooki Goto
Saturday, Aug. 3 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka KENTA vs. Bad Luck Fale Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Lance Archer Will Ospreay vs. EVIL Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi Kazuchika Okada vs. SANADA
Sunday, Aug. 4 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka Tomohiro Ishii vs. Toru Yano Juice Robinson vs. Taichi Hirooki Goto vs. Jeff Cobb Jon Moxley vs. Jay White Tetsuya Naito vs. Shingo Takagi
Wednesday, Aug. 7 @ Hamamatsu Arena, Shizuoka SANADA vs. Lance Archer Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Bad Luck Fale Will Ospreay vs. KENTA Kota Ibushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Kazuchika Okada vs. EVIL
Thursday, Aug. 8 @ Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium, Kanagawa Toru Yano vs. Taichi Jeff Cobb vs. Tetsuya Naito Hirooki Goto vs. Jon Moxley Juice Robinson vs. Jay White Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi
Saturday, Aug. 10 @ Nippon Budokan, Tokyo (Match Order TBD) Kazuchika Okada vs. Kota Ibushi Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Will Ospreay KENTA vs. Zack Sabre Jr. EVIL vs. Lance Archer SANADA vs. Bad Luck Fale
Sunday, Aug. 11 @ Nippon Budokan, Tokyo (Match Order TBD) Juice Robinson vs. Jon Moxley Tomohiro Ishii vs. Taichi Toru Yano vs. Jeff Cobb Hirooki Goto vs. Shingo Takagi Tetsuya Naito vs. Jay White
Monday, Aug. 12 @ Nippon Budokan, Tokyo Finals: A Block winner vs. B Block winner
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 15:58:20 GMT -6
Gonna be interesting to see the crowd tonight.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 16:18:36 GMT -6
Doesn't sound good.
No more Texas.
Come to Chicago or stay on the coasts.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 16:25:57 GMT -6
They may be small, but the crowd has been loud the first 2 matches.
If they keep it up, it could be another special show.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 16:31:16 GMT -6
I like Ren Narita.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 17:41:23 GMT -6
Archer-Ospreay was amazing.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 18:03:09 GMT -6
Fale wins a Fale match.
Meh.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 18:04:16 GMT -6
SANADA-ZSJ up next.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 18:29:37 GMT -6
KENTA time
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Post by randomone on Jul 6, 2019 18:33:11 GMT -6
I'm so bummed to be at this fundraiser. I'm watching your posts Peeps and seeing some gifs. Can't wait to watch when I get home tonight.
You think it'll be in NJPW World right after?
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 18:54:25 GMT -6
Big win for KENTA.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 6, 2019 18:54:51 GMT -6
I'm so bummed to be at this fundraiser. I'm watching your posts Peeps and seeing some gifs. Can't wait to watch when I get home tonight. You think it'll be in NJPW World right after? Tomorrow I think.
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Post by randomone on Jul 6, 2019 23:31:22 GMT -6
(Got home tonight and immediately looked to see if this was available & it was, so you damn right I was watching it tonight!)
Night 1 Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer One man standing Spanish Fly, twisting moonsault to the floor & springboard 450 back inside is how Will Ospreay kicks off this G1 as he dropkicks Archer to the floor, tries for a Sasuke Special, but Archer catches him & chokeslams him through a table!! Holy hell this start is incredible! Archer does his rope walk multiple sides of the ring & just tosses Ospreay to the mat. Archer has Ruby Riott hair now, I should point that out. Ospreay throws a desperation back handspring wheel kick to stagger Archer, then a 619 & Pip Pip Cheerio for 2. Archer misses a Pounce, Ospreay hits a kick flush to the face, but Archer hits the Pounce the second try as Ospreay gets launched. Buckle bomb, then Last Ride sends Ospreay to the floor as he follows with an Apron Bomb! Archer tries for a Last Ride on the floor, but Ospreay transitions into a Code Red out there. Ospreay really had to work to get Archer over there. They tease a countout, but Ospreay hits a springboard dropkick at 19, then Shooting Star for 1…2…KICK OUT! Ospreay can’t believe it, hits a Robinson Special, tries for Oscutter, Archer blocks, but Ospreay tries again & hits Oscutter for 2! He can’t get Archer up for Storm Breaker, looks for Hidden Blade, but get sent to the ropes where Archer hits a Muscle Buster for 2. Archer hits a Blackout for another near fall, then locks on a Claw, but Ospreay gets the ropes. Archer tries for a super chokeslam off the top, but Ospreay hits a Spanish Fly up there for 2!! Ospreay tries Storm Breaker, Archer gets out, but Ospreay hits hook kicks to the face, then wants a Super Oscutter, but gets crotched on the top. Archer with a running knee & hits a Super Blackout off the top (that bump was sick looking), locks in the Claw as the ref counts Ospreay’s shoulders down for 3. What a great start to the tournament. These two had a great match in the New Japan Cup last year & this was no different.
EVIL vs Bad Luck Fale To no one’s surprise, we start with a brawl on the floor, which Fale got the best of. He targets the midsection & does Fale things, throwing wild clubbing shots. EVIL gets a bodyslam off a missed splash & is selling the back. They go back to the floor as both try chair shots, but it’s EVIL who puts it around Fale’s neck & rams him into the post. Bronco Buster back inside by EVIL as he hits 2 lariats, tries for a 3rd, but Fale tackles him down. Big time splash gets Fale 2 as he tries to bring chairs in the ring, but EVIL fights back & clotheslines Fale down. Everything Is Evil is blocked, Grenade is blocked, lariat blocked, Grenade hits for Fale but he only gets 2. EVIL gets out of the Bad Luck Fall, clotheslines Fale down & the ref takes a bump off it somehow. EVIL goes for chair shots, but Fale chucked a chair into EVIL’s face, hits a low blow & wraps a chair around the head & swings with another. Bad Luck Fall as the ref miraculously recovers just in time for Fale to get the 3 count. I didn’t care for this match, but hey, at least we didn’t get any interference, so there’s that.
Zack Sabre Jr. vs SANADA Insane series of reversals off some chain wrestling to start that got the crowd going. I’m not going to try to attempt to list the amount of reversals we got before getting another stalemate. After another series of submission reversals, Sabre hits the first strike of the match at around 8 minutes, an uppercut, but SANADA dropkicks him to the floor, Zack takes a walk, telling the ref “I’ve got 20 seconds, you dickhead!” Zack back in at 19, but almost walks right into a Paradise Lock, but Zack turns it into an armbar. Zack stomps the arm, then toys with his opponent, only waking SANADA up. Sabre briefly gets an abdominal stretch, but SANADA does his leap frogs into the dropkick, tries for a Paradise Lock in the ropes as the crowd pops big with Zack tied up! SANADA dropkicks him to the floor & hits a plancha, back inside SANADA hits a back suplex for 2. TKO attempt is turned into the Octopus Hold by Sabre. SANADA struggles mightily, but gets the ropes & we have an uppercut battle, SANADA tries for Skull End, but the arm is too weak & Sabre hits a spinning DDT & Skull End of his own! SANADA powers out of it, tries for TKO, but Sabre locks in a guillotine. SANADA fights out into an Ego Trip off the ropes, then finally hits a TKO for 2, misses a moonsault, gets a flying backslide, but Zack out at 2 & hits a PK. Zack Driver countered into Skull End, SANADA looks for a moonsault, ZSJ gets the knees up into a triangle at the 20 minute mark! SANADA powers out, moonsault out of the corner into Skull End, Zack floats over, European Clutch for a 2 count, Skull End countered, European Clutch attempt again by Zack, but SANADA floats over into one of his own & gets the 3!! Aside from the fast paced counter sequences to start, this was a slow paced match, but I really liked it. Zack threw a tantrum & attacked the referee post match.
Kota Ibushi vs. KENTA Great shot of Shibata watching from a distance as we start with a kick battle into mat wrestling. KENTA fakes a clean break, slaps Ibushi, but Kota slaps the shit out of KENTA, dropping him. KENTA punts Ibushi into the ropes & drops a knee off the top. Kota tries to get something going, but the kicks from KENTA just echos. He puts one foot on Kota, but Red Shoes refuses to pin (why?), as Kevin Kelly says Red Shoes wants body to body pin attempts, which, whatever. KENTA is toying with Kota, who throws forearms, but KENTA drops him with stiff shots of his own. Kota is daring KENTA to hit him and he obliges, but Kota gets a dropkick to slow the momentum. Snap powerslam & moonsault off the second gets Ibushi 2, but KENTA answers with a leg lariat, then an exploder. Top rope lariat gets KENTA 2 as they fight in the corner with Ibushi looking for his German from the apron back into the ring, but KENTA fights out, only to eat a backflip kick by Ibushi! Pescado by Kota is countered as KENTA kicked him in mid air & Kota landed badly on his ankle. With Kota hung up on the barricade, KENTA hits a double stomp off the apron! Springboard dropkick & stalling dropkick by KENTA, who hits a super violent double stomp to the gut off the top for a 2 count! Ibushi wiggles out of GTS, starching KENTA with a lariat, then a Last Ride, but gets 2. Both tried for big moves, but the other would counter, they slowly meet in the center on their knees as we have a forearm battle with Kota smiling after eating each shot! They stand up & continue the battle that turns to kicks as KENTA gets a high kick for a near fall. KENTA hits multiple kicks directly to the head & hits a Go To Sleep to finish off Ibushi for the 3 count. This was super hard hitting and a match we haven’t seen from KENTA his entire WWE run. KENTA helps Ibushi up & they hug. This match delivered.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi We get a standing ovation before they even lock up! Okada does his fake out rope break, but Tana slaps him & we get a back and forth of forearms, then try big moves, neither hit as we get a stalemate. Forearm, bodyslam & a little air guitar by Tana, but Okada dropkicks him to the floor. Dueling chants as Okada hits a DDT outside, but Tana back in at 14. Back elbows in the corner by Okada, Tana fights out, but Okada hits a dragon screw. After a brief chinlock, Okada tries for a boot & Tana hits a dragon screw of his own. Flying forearm, dropkick & senton off the ropes gets Tana a 2 at the 10 minute call. Okada fights back with a DDT, tried for an Air Raid Crash, but Tana gets to the apron & dragon screws Okada’s knee through the ropes. Desperation flapjack by Okada, they duck lariats, but Okada hits an Air Raid Crash for 2. Soaring top rope elbow as Okada does his Rainmaker pose, but with the camera zoomed out, Tana gets a close roll up. Tana sinks in a Cloverleaf, but Okada is so tall he gets the ropes quickly. Tana with yet another dragon screw that sends Okada to the floor at the 15 minute mark. Tana hits a High Fly Flow outside, back inside, Tana hits Twist & Shout, but couldn’t follow up as Okada hits his John Woo dropkick. Tana answers with a Sling Blade, Okada hits a dropkick & nails a Tombstone, tries for a Rainmaker, but Tana turns it into Sling Blade!! Tana goes up & hits the standing variation of High Fly Flow, goes for a proper one, but Okada with the knees up! Both very slow to recover as we get Tombstone attempts, Tana slaps Okada, who answers with a backslide, gets wrist control, RAINMAKER! He holds wrist control, RAINMAKER, looks for a third, but small package by Tanahashi 1…2…KICK OUT! Tana with a Dragon Suplex 1…2…KICK OUT!! Sling Blade countered, Rainmaker countered, Tana slaps Okada stiff, but Okada has wrist control, another Tana slap, then another! Okada buckles as Tana hits the ropes, runs right into a spinning Tombstone, RAINMAKER turns Tana inside out for the 1…2…3!! Hot damn these two know how to put together a wrestling match. Fantastic main event. Remember this match, because I have a feeling this will play a big role in terms of tie breakers as this Block progresses.
A Block Standings 2 points - Lance Archer, Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, KENTA, Kazuchika Okada 0 points - Will Ospreay, EVIL, Zack Sabre Jr., Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 7, 2019 10:50:48 GMT -6
Loved ZSJ's comments last night.
"...putting on a great technical match for a U.S. audience is like reading Shakespeare to a dog.”
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Post by Positivity KS on Jul 7, 2019 12:43:57 GMT -6
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Post by randomone on Jul 10, 2019 18:30:51 GMT -6
Fuck dude, hope Ibushi will be ok next week when the A Block starts again. Guy almost kills himself with all these crazy and unnecessary neck bumps, but it's a pescado to the floor that fucks his ankle up against KENTA.
If you click Google translate, this is what his tweet (sort of) says...
"The leg was clean bone without fractures! Is it a ligament? Is it sprain? Yesterday I walked 100 steps today, although I did not stop cold sweating in 30 steps. Because there was an abnormal natural self-healing ability + hyperbaric oxygen treatment to tomorrow 200 steps goal! I woke up because of the time difference and pain, so I will go to the first floor anytime. As much as possible from where it can be "
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 10, 2019 18:34:08 GMT -6
Yeah you could see him land awkward on the ankle. Amazing he kept going.
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Post by randomone on Jul 13, 2019 9:15:32 GMT -6
Just a heads up the G1 B Block started this morning not tomorrow. I'll have my review of it up later this afternoon as I've only seen 2 of the 5 matches.
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 13, 2019 9:36:02 GMT -6
Moxley-Taichi was solid, as was White-Goto.
Yano was Yano.
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Post by randomone on Jul 13, 2019 13:40:35 GMT -6
Night 2 Juice Robinson vs. Shingo Takagi They trade shoulder blocks to start & I like how Kevin Kelly pointed out that those would knock down the Junior Heavyweights, but Shingo has to put more behind them for it to work with the Heavyweights (little comments like that are huge for me). Shingo avoids a dive & DDT’s Juice on the floor. Juice battles back eventually back inside with chops, but Shingo knocks him down with a double chop to the chest, looks for a dive, but Juice hits a Spear through the ropes. Beautiful Spinebuster as Juice goes to the top, high cross for a 2 count. Shingo avoids Juice Box; Robinson avoids a sliding lariat & nails Shingo with a Full Nelson bomb for a near fall. Jabs by Juice, but Shingo starches him with a lariat. Juice fought back & looks for a corner cannonball, but crashes and Shingo follows with a wheelbarrow suplex, but only manages 2. Noshigami countered into Juice Box as Juice hits the cannonball this time. They go to the top & Juice hits a superplex into a Jackhammer for a close 2, he looks for Pulp Friction, but Shingo gets free & nails a sliding lariat followed by multiple lariats. Back & forth, Shingo connects with a Saito suplex, but Juice shows fighting spirit, no sells & hits a lariat of his own. Another Juice Box attempt is countered into Noshigami, then a Pumping Bomber for 1…2…KICK OUT! Juice connects with the Left Hand of God twice, Pulp Friction for the 1…2…3! Awesome start to the B Block, they made the right call here as you can play off of Shingo having more difficulty finishing guys in the G1 over how he dominated the Super Juniors. This also gives Juice a big win to start as I feel he’ll ultimately play spoiler & defeat Jon Moxley at the last show of B Block to dash his hopes of winning.
Jon Moxley vs. Taichi Taichi attacks Mox in the stands during his entrance and commentary says both men must be in the ring for this to start, but the bell sounds, so they say the ref must’ve seen enough & needs to start the match (what?!?). Anyways Taichi posts Mox & clotheslines him outside. Mox beats the count, but eats a Buzzsaw Kick. Mox blocks a kick & starts throwing forearms, elbows, etc. He fires out of the corner with a lariat & sends Taichi to the floor. Tope Suicida by Mox who sets a table up & plants Taichi through it with a Uranage, as he flips Taichi off, looks at Miho tells her that sucks & blows a kiss to her. Running knee by Mox gets 2. Taichi sends Mox into the ref, who goes to the floor as Miho slides a chair in, but Mox cuts him off & chucks the chair into Taichi’s face. Ref recovers just in time for Mox to look for Death Rider, Taichi reverses into a Gedo Clutch for 2, Mox kicks out, hits a Death Rider flush for the 3. This was one of the matches I thought would’ve been weaker in the G1 for Mox, but I dug it.
Toru Yano vs. Tetsuya Naito 3 minute comedy match that had Yano pull off the upset. This was harmless as it just puts Naito in a more must win situation down the line. They did the turnbuckle pad spots, pulled each other’s hair, Naito pulled Yano’s shirt over his head & got a 2. Yano pulled Red Shoes’ shirt over his head, low blowed Naito, pulled his shirt over his head & got the schoolboy for the 3.
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jeff Cobb This is like 2 refrigerators wrestling each other. We play a game called how many shoulder blocks will knock the other down and the answer is a lot. Ishii couldn’t get it done, but Cobb did as he took control early. Cobb chops away as Ishii is daring him to throw more as its just pissing Ishii off, who throws chops & forearms aplenty. Cobb’s chest is beat red, but he throws chops of his own, Ishii hits 3 headbutts, but Cobb launches him with a release belly to belly! Spinning back suplex gets Cobb 2 as both slowly rise & start the forearm battle (legit about 30 a piece), which Cobb stops with a snap jab. Ishii fires out of the corner with a shoulder block, then vertical suplex, but Cobb out at 1! Cobb with a suplex & standing moonsault for a 2 count as he’s telling Ishii to get up, but Ishii can’t do it. Hard shots by Cobb, but Ishii slowly rised, absolutely no selling everything Cobb is throwing!! Cobb gets sent to the corner as Ishii hits a superplex, but this time Cobb no sold! He hits Ishii with a massive stalling superplex of his own, but gets a 2 count. Stiff headbutt directly to the chest of Ishii as Cobb plants him with a piledriver for 2. Cobb looks for Tour of the Islands, but Ishii fought off, looking for a brainbuster, but settled for a Backdrop Driver. Cobb manages a Uranage, ISHII NO SELLS, & hits a suplex, COBB NO SELLS & hits a suplex, ISHII NO SELLS and he clotheslines Cobb down! What a crazy back & forth! Sliding Lariat is blocked by Cobb, but Ishii hits a Dragon Suplex & turns Cobb inside out with a lariat, but COBB OUT AT 1!! Superkick by Cobb into a German for 2! Straps are down as Cobb looks for Tour of the Islands again, but he can’t get him around as Ishii hits an enzugiri. Sliding Lariat by Ishii for 1…2…KICK OUT! Cobb avoids a brainbuster & we get a trading of headbutts before Ishii plants Cobb with the vertical drop brainbuster for 1…2…3!! My goodness that was a hard hitting war, 1st night of the B Block, folks!
Hirooki Goto vs. Jay White Switchblade does what he does best, stall like a motherfucker early. Goto was having none of that as he brought White back into the ring only to clothesline him to the floor. Gedo distracted Goto long enough for Switchblade to recover & attack. Front first suplex drops Goto on the apron as White continued to throw him into the railing, tried for a cover back inside, but Red Shoes refused to count due to those shenanigans. Goto fires back with slaps, but White cuts him off with a neckbreaker for 2. Switchblade toying with Goto, who fires back with slaps & chops, but White continues to wear him down until Goto answers with a discus lariat. Ushigoroshi is avoided, but Goto hits a spin kick & Saito suplex, then a little misdirection & clothesline. Switchblade hits a DDT and rolling suplexes, but Goto fights off a 3rd, White though hits a corner suplex. Blade Buster gets White a close 2 as we trade forearms & uppercuts, we get a friggin wild misdirection & this time White wins the battle with a Saito suplex of his own. White has an answer to every counter & he knows it as he’s showing serious disrespect as he plants Goto down with a Uranage. Switchblade mocking Goto, but gets into it with Red Shoes allowing Goto to hit a desperation lariat. Ushigoroshi by Goto, calls for GTR, but White goes dead weight so he can’t hit it. Goto hits a headbutt & inverted GTR for 2. They trade finisher attempts as Switchblade is grabbing Goto’s hair to fight out as Goto pulls the hair in response & manages to hit Final Cut. Gedo jumped on the apron to distract Goto, but it didn’t work as he planted White with Shouten Kai for 1…2…KICK OUT!! Ushigoroshi with some torque on it gets another close 2, massive mid kick followed by a GTR for the 1…2…3!! Loved the story told in this one as Switchblade had counters for everything Goto threw, so Goto had to get creative in order to put White away. I still am picking Switchblade to win this Block, so having him fight from behind is good too.
A Block Standings 2 points - Lance Archer, Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, KENTA, Kazuchika Okada 0 points - Will Ospreay, EVIL, Zack Sabre Jr., Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi
B Block Standings 2 points - Juice Robinson, Jon Moxley, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto 0 points - Shingo Takagi, Taichi, Tetsuya Naito, Jeff Cobb, Jay White
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Post by Terry's Peeps on Jul 14, 2019 7:43:14 GMT -6
Goddamn they're giving KENTA a strong showing early.
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Post by randomone on Jul 14, 2019 8:39:33 GMT -6
Night 3 Lance Archer vs. Bad Luck Fale Battle of the big men start with both tackling each other tumbling to the floor. After a kendo shot from Jado that pissed Archer off, he & Fale brawl into the crowd and Fale launched him into some chairs. Frustrated, Archer got back in the ring & beaten down a bit, fought back with a top rope cross body, tried for his rope walk, but Fale grabbed the ref & Jado smacked him with the kendo stick. Fale then hit a massive superplex (you heard me), but only got 2. Fale attempted to do the rope walk, but was sadly cut off as I really hoped to see that. Fale fought out of the Blackout & hit a Grenade for 2! Bad Luck Fall attempt is countered by Archer, looks for a chokeslam, but Jado gets involved a 3rd time and this time is dropped. Archer hits a Pounce, a chokeslam, then applies the Claw for the 3 count. This was a solid big man match, weird seeing Archer work babyface, but it was much better than I thought it’d be. I was fine with the Jado interference as he got dropped ultimately.
Will Ospreay vs. SANADA Some great back & forth to start as both countered the other before Ospreay tried for the Paradise Lock, but didn’t know how to do it. SANADA ended up locking it on, but Ospreay literally flipped out of it. SANADA applied it into the ropes this time & dropkicked Ospreay outside, then took over back in the ring, trying to ground him. That didn’t last long as a back handspring wheel kick, top rope 619, double stomp & standing shooting star got Ospreay 2, so he hit a Sasuke Special & Pip Pip Cheerio back in the ring. SANADA hit his leapfrog dropkick & hit a pescado, then a big time back suplex for a 2, they trade kicks & counters of the TKO, Ospreay hits a hook kick, almost applies Skull End, but SANADA turned it into a TKO. Both men on their knees & throw forearms and kicks, step up enzugiri by Ospreay, who floats over into the powerbomb for 2. He goes up top & crushes SANADA with a Shooting Star 1…2…NO! Storm Breaker attempt is countered into Skull End! SANADA released it, went for the moonsault, Ospreay moved, but SANADA landed on his feet, one man Spanish Fly for 2! Robinson Special by Ospreay, who tried for an Oscutter, but SANADA countered into Skull End, Ospreay rolls out, Oscutter missed, Oscutter attempt by SANADA, but eats a hook kick and Ospreay finally hits the Oscutter, then Storm Breaker for 1…2…3!! Excellent match, this flew by & I wish it could’ve went 5-7 more minutes honestly, it just felt like it was hitting another gear. Fantastic showing from both though, I want to see it again.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Sabre focuses on the left arm on Okada to start before we got a stalemate. Big boots from both, Okada tried a dropkick, but Sabre turned it into a European Clutch for 1…2…KICK OUT! I type it like that because they really teased the finish & fans bit as it’s how Sabre beat Okada before. Calf crusher, banana split, Rocky Romero points out Sabre has like 3 submissions on at the same time. Zack starts getting cocky & it’s only pissing Okada off who fires back with forearms and DDT (Zack landed right on his head, that actually looked bad). Sabre avoided the top rope elbow & got a guillotine, but Okada countered into an Air Raid Crash. This time Okada hits his elbow, does the Rainmaker pose, Zack fought free but Okada hits a dropkick & Tombstone. Rainmaker attempt is countered into an Octopus Hold, but Okada falls into the ropes. Zack continues to target the arm, looks for a PK, but Okada blocked it & hit some dropkicks. Rainmaker is countered a 3rd time as Zack gets another European Clutch for a 2. After another pin attempt, Sabre countered a Tombstone, got an Octopus on again, but Okada got out of it, spinning Rainmaker followed by a proper RAINMAKERRRRR for the 1…2…3!! Wish this match also would’ve gone longer, but a marathon wasn’t the story told here, it was counter wrestling and just who could hit their finisher. I really dug it because it wasn’t what I was expecting, especially the 12 minutes it went.
Kota Ibushi vs. EVIL Ibushi has a bad ankle, so of course they start super fast with Kota hitting a big kick. EVIL immediately targeted the ankle, which was the story for the next few minutes as whenever Ibushi would fight back, EVIL went right after it. Ankle be dammed, Ibushi fought back with a dropkick, mid kicks and standing moonsault for 2. German blocked as EVIL hit a senton for 2, looked for Darkness Falls, Ibushi blocked into a powerslam, one legged corner moonsault for 2. Kota goes to the top, but is cut off as EVIL hits a huge superplex, then a brutal lariat for another 2. Both men hit a German suplex with the other man no selling as they collapse after both connect with clotheslines. Forearm battle as EVIL looks for the Scorpion Deathlock, but Ibushi is too close to the ropes. Ibushi fights back with strikes until EVIL throws Red Shoes into him & the ref bumps (WHY???) as EVIL gets some headbutts, but Kota hits a massive lariat as Red Shoes recovers immediately (seriously WHY DID HE EVEN NEED TO BUMP???) for a 2 count. Kamigoye is avoided as EVIL locked in the Scorpion again, but once more Kota got the ropes. Second rope senton misses as EVIL crashes & burns, Ibushi answers with a Bomaye, then another for 1…2…KICK OUT! Kamigoye blocked, Everything is EVIL blocked, but EVIL hits a lariat that turned Kota inside out! Darkness Falls connects for 1…2…KICK OUT! EVIL plants Kota with Everything is EVIL for 1…2…3!! I liked how they played on the ankle injury before that fire finish. Red Shoes bump was beyond unnecessary (unless it plays into a match later). Kota is 0-2 now; they’re really questioning his ability to keep up. So my G1 Finals picks are a collective 0-3 now, so that’s great!
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. KENTA Welp, respect went out the window early as KENTA slapped Tana after backing him into the ropes, so Tana did the same. Tana hit a senton & did some air guitar, but KENTA up & paint brushed him with a kick to the head. To the floor we go & KENTA sent to the guardrail, but KENTA returns the favor & boots Tana over the railing. KENTA hits a DDT out there & posts Tana to follow as we’re back inside & he’s targeting the neck. Whenever Tana would fight back, KENTA hit knee lifts & kicks to ground The Ace. Tana was able to get going with a dragon screw off a Yakuza Kick counter. Somersault senton got a 2 count, but KENTA answers with boots, blocking a Sling Blade into a powerslam. Springboard dropkick by KENTA, then hits a stalling dropkick in the corner as the camera showed Shibata. Double stomp off the top gets KENTA 2, he looks for a GTS, but Tana gets free with a dragon screw & he locks in a Cloverleaf. KENTA turns it into a small package for 2, then plants Tana down with a hanging DDT out of the ropes. Running knee to the back, he looks for a psycho knee, but Tana hits Sling Blade as both men are down. 15 minute call as we get a brutal slap battle (Tana ducked one, but KENTA caught him flush as he did so) with KENTA hitting a discus lariat, looked for GTS, but Tana hits 3 Twist & Shouts! Sling Blade for Tana gets him 2 as he goes to the top quickly & hits a cross body High Fly Flow, goes for another, but KENTA got the knees up at the last second! He sinks in a sleeper as Tana starts to fade, KENTA tries for a PK, but Tana catches it, KENTA hits a knee to the face before Tana can get his dragon screw. PK by KENTA who connects with GO…TO…SLEEP for the 3! Really great match, I honestly liked it more than the Ibushi/KENTA one. KENTA wanted a handshake post match, but Tanahashi didn’t do it, which, you can’t blame him since the match started with KENTA not showing respect, so he hasn’t earned Tana’s respect yet. Tana has to come from behind to make a run at a repeat G1 win and KENTA is an immediate threat with 2 strong showings.
A Block Standings 4 points – Lance Archer, Kazuchika Okada, KENTA 2 points - Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, Will Ospreay, EVIL 0 points - Zack Sabre Jr., Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi
B Block Standings 2 points - Juice Robinson, Jon Moxley, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto 0 points - Shingo Takagi, Taichi, Tetsuya Naito, Jeff Cobb, Jay White
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Post by randomone on Jul 14, 2019 21:51:14 GMT -6
It won't be a tournament match he misses, but I hope he's ok.
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Post by randomone on Jul 15, 2019 9:51:35 GMT -6
Night 4 Toru Yano vs. Shingo Takagi Shingo didn’t want Yano to wear a shirt, since that’s how he beat Naito. Yano took his shirt off, but put it over Shingo’s head & almost got a roll up win. Shenanigans outside as Yano plays catch me if you can as Shingo goes after him, gets hit with a chair and Yano sets up a little obstacle course for Shingo to get through to make it back in by 19. Yano gets his roll of tape & Shingo hit him with it (Yano sold it, HE SOLD GETTING HIT BY TAPE!!), they throw shots, Yano tries a low blow, Shingo blocks, tries for Noshigami, but Yano gets a backslide 1…2..KICK OUT! Yano pulls the ref in front of him & shoves Shingo into him as Yano gets a chair, tosses it to Shingo & tells the ref he hit him with it (Eddie Guerrero style). Here comes BUSHI to distract the ref long enough for Shingo to clock Yano with the chair & hit a Pumping Bomber for the 3. Not as funny as the Naito match, but it was harmless. Yano doing Yano things.
Juice Robinson vs. Hirooki Goto After a nice back & forth of counters, Goto hits a hangman’s neckbreaker out of the corner sending Juice to the floor. Juice is sent into the railing & brought back in for a 2 count as Goto is wearing him down with forearms. Goto throws forearms, but Juice fights back & connects with a flapjack and leaping lariat. Full Nelson Slam by Juice gets a nearfall as he starts throwing jabs, looks for the Hand of God, but Goto ducks & boots him down. Goto throws a ton of forearms in the corner, but both man follows the other into the corner with strikes until Goto gets a suplex for 2. Juice throws chops that has sweat bursting off him, Goto misses a Ushigoroshi, they hit dueling lariats, until Goto blocks a few & turns Juice inside out with one, then finally hits Ushigoroshi for 2. Juice fights off a GTR, but Goto beats him down with knees & kicks to the point where Juice collapses. He plays possum as a GTR is countered into a Jackhammer for 2. Pulp Friction countered, Juice with a small package for 2, both men try to throw punches, but EACH GUY HEADBUTTS THROUGH IT!! Juice sucks it up & throws a hard left, then Pulp Friction for the 1…2…3! This match was a lot of fun, strong performance from both.
Jeff Cobb vs. Jon Moxley Mox gets sent to the floor early, but quickly takes over, posting Cobb & works on the left arm, doing a Code Breaker to it at one point. Mox throws chops & it wakes Cobb up, who lights up Mox with chops, so Mox goes right after the arm. Running knee to the face sends Cobb to the floor & Mox nails a Tope Suicida. He teases a table, tries to powerbomb Cobb on the ramp, but Cobb fights out & we get a double clothesline out there. They’re up at the same time, throwing forearms as Mox breaks the count to go back to work on the arm. Leaping elbow by Mox off the top back in the ring, tries for Death Rider, but Cobb fought out with a snap German, superkick & standing moonsault for 2. Big splash in the corner by Cobb, but Mox fires out with a lariat & running exposed knee to the face for a close 2. Both men fight to the apron, Cobb tries for a German out there (thankfully he didn’t hit it) but settles for clotheslining Mox back into the ring, but took too long to get back in as Mox hit another knee & hanging DDT through the ropes for the 3! That ending came out of nowhere. That was interesting. This match needed to go longer.
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jay White Like his first match, White stalled. It also took Gedo a whole 15 seconds to interfere & trip Ishii. We go to the floor as its all Ishii, who chucks a chair at Switchblade (who ducks it) until Gedo distracts him allowing White to post him. Switchblade had control for only a little bit until Ishii suplexed him & hit brutal chops. White tried to kick free, but Ishii stared at him before throwing chops to the throat. White connected on a DDT that absolutely planted Ishii as he followed with an underhook suplex into the corner. Spinning suplex gets Switchblade 2, who then tries to knock down Ishii with clotheslines, but Ishii won’t budge & he throws a wild lariat that floors White. Snap powerslam by Ishii as we get a wild forearm battle with Ishii daring Switchblade to hit him & he does, but ultimately Ishii wins the battle dropping White, who counters with a Flatliner & German suplex. White is really focusing on the neck (strange since Ishii doesn’t have one), starts toying with him, paintbrushes Ishii (big mistake) as Ishii wakes up and starts leaning into forearms, no sells a suplex & murders White with a shot, then superplexes him off the top for 2. They trade counters of lariats until Switchblade hit a Uranage & Kiwi Crusher for 2. Sleeper suplex by White, who looks for a Blade Runner, but Ishii gets a German then the massive powerbomb for 2. White avoids a sliding D (and seems to laugh while doing so) as Gedo distracts Red Shoes. Blade Runner blocked into an enzugiri, then sliding D as Ishii looks for the brainbuster, White gets out, Blade Runner, Ishii fights out with a Flatliner, murders him with a lariat for 1…2…NO!! Ishii hits a Vertical Drop Brainbuster for the 3!! After the first few minutes of Switchblade shenanigans, I really got into this match. It was very good. That said, the 2 guys I picked for the Finals are a collective 0-4. Shit.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Taichi Man, I don’t know if I have it in me for this. Main event, Taichi, I know this will go long. Bell sounds and nothing happens, Taichi stalls (wonderful), eventually Miho distracted Naito who got in her face & did his pose, which allowed Taichi to take over & send Naito into the crowd, working him over with a chair. Back in the ring and Taichi’s offense moves as a snail’s pace, but Naito spits in his face & took over with multiple neckbreakers as he locks in a submission, cranking the neck. Taichi got free & throws some kicks, dropping Naito with an enzugiri. Backdrop Driver by Taichi gets him 2 as Naito is clutching his neck in pain. Taichi grabs the Iron Claw (Red Shoes got distracted by something, we never see it) as Naito avoids the Claw, hits a Tornado DDT, then Gloria for a nearfall. Destino countered as Taichi hits a ganso bomb that almost dropped Naito on his head. Naito shoves Red Shoes, hits a pop up low blow & Destino, but Taichi kicks out. Naito goes for it again, but Taichi counters into Black Mephisto. Thrust Kick blocked into a German, but Taichi no sold & chucks Red Shoes into Naito who was doing his flying forearm. Kanemaru tried the whiskey mist, but Naito covered his mouth & hung him up on the top rope. Taichi missed with the Iron Claw as Naito dropped him on his head with a brainbuster, covers, but no ref. Destino blocked as Taichi hits a thrust kick, Red Shoes recovers to count the 1…2…KICK OUT. Kanemaru is distracting a downed Red Shoes long enough for Taichi to hit Naito with the Iron Claw, then a Last Ride powerbomb, as Red Shoes recovers for the 3 count. Taichi matches are always a mixed bag; they’re either super boring or pretty good and this fell more towards the middle as it had short bursts of good, but was super slow for a majority and too many bells & whistles. This will be the only main event Taichi match of the tournament luckily. Bigger note, Naito is 0-2 in his block.
A Block Standings 4 points – Lance Archer, Kazuchika Okada, KENTA 2 points - Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, Will Ospreay, EVIL 0 points - Zack Sabre Jr., Kota Ibushi, Hiroshi Tanahashi
B Block Standings 4 points – Juice Robinson, Jon Moxley, Tomohiro Ishii 2 points - Toru Yano, Hirooki Goto, Shingo Takagi, Taichi 0 points - Tetsuya Naito, Jeff Cobb, Jay White
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All Drop In
Moderator
The Voice of Reason
Posts: 32,574
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Post by All Drop In on Jul 15, 2019 10:35:33 GMT -6
KENTA v Moxley in the finals and New Japan loyalists have their collective heads explode.
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Post by randomone on Jul 15, 2019 17:34:44 GMT -6
KENTA v Moxley in the finals and New Japan loyalists have their collective heads explode. I really think they're building them strong as a "look what you missed out on" kind of push in the early going.
Still think Juice plays spoiler and robs Moxley of winning the B Block. It makes the most sense as it's the last match for those guys.
I'm worried about my Jay White & Ibushi picks for the Finals. Although I think I might be falling for some Gedo fake outs. Make me think those guys don't stand a chance, cut to the final night of A Block and Ibushi beats Okada then the final night of B Block and White beats Naito.
I just don't want Ibushi vs Naito in the finals. I don't want that match again for quite a while.
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Post by randomone on Jul 18, 2019 6:24:54 GMT -6
Ibushi vs Ospreay was one of the best matches I've ever seen. I liked it better than their WK match. Match of the tournament so far.
I'll do a full write up later this morning, but make sure you go out of your way to watch this match.
The storytelling & selling of their ankle/neck injuries was a masterpiece. It wasn't a spotfest, it was a story.
Will Ospreay is the best wrestler in the world, there's no "arguably" about it.
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Post by randomone on Jul 18, 2019 9:19:51 GMT -6
Night 5 KENTA vs. Lance Archer The match begins with KENTA throwing a series of kicks, trying to chop the tree down before Archer ultimately took over, threatening to chokeslam KENTA from the apron to the floor, but some young boys tried to stop him, so Archer chokeslammed him onto the boys & hit a tumbleweed off the apron onto all 3 of them. They brawl around ringside before we head back in and Archer says “you’re fuckin Hideo!” which KENTA slapped him in the face for, but Archer hit a Pounce quickly after. KENTA answers with a springboard dropkick and multiple boots in the corner, then a stalling dropkick as he hits the double stomp off the top for 2. Spinning DDT countered as Archer looks for a superplex, but KENTA looks for a high cross, gets caught & Archer slams him down, then hits a lariat for a close 2. Blackout countered into a sleeper by KENTA, wears him down enough to hit a PK, looks for GTS, but Archer gets The Claw as KENTA luckily falls into the ropes. Muscle Buster gets Archer another nearfall, the crowd is actually cheering Archer, who hits a brutal powerbomb for yet another 2. KENTA fights off another Claw attempt & sinks in a Game Over submission as Archer taps! Fun match, Archer really has been excellent in this tournament. KENTA has too, as he’s someone who arguably had the most to prove in this whole G1. He’s at 6 points now.
EVIL vs. SANADA So SANADA tried a Paradise Lock, EVIL tried a Scorpion Deathlock, but ultimately it was EVIL who locked SANADA in the Paradise Lock to pop the crowd to start. We go to the floor where EVIL chucks him into the barricades before going back in with a body scissors. They both dropkick one another’s legs out from the other before SANADA locks in the Paradise Lock using the ropes. EVIL gets free & eventually takes over with a backbreaker for 2. Misdirection spot ends with SANADA hitting a springboard dropkick at the 10 minute call as EVIL uses the ref for an assisted Magic Killer. Massive superplex gets EVIL 2 as both are slowly up, then quickly start trading finisher attempts, each man counters a bunch as it ends with SANADA hitting Everything Is Evil for a close 2! Moonsault attempt, but EVIL gets the knees up. They’re slowly up and we have a striking battle as neither wants to budge, but this time SANADA hits a Dragon Suplex for 1…2…KICK OUT! SANADA with Skull End, but couldn’t put EVIL away. EVIL hits Darkness Falls, but again, gets 2. They trade cradles, EVIL with a lariat, covers SANADA out at 1! EVIL swings for the fences with another lariat, but gets 2! EVERYTHING…IS…EVIL for the 1…2…3! That was a super fun match as they played off of each man knowing the other so well that they had counters for everything. The tag partners gave a fist bump post match.
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bad Luck Fale To the surprise of no one, Fale attacked Okada during his entrance as Chase Owens & Jado also put the boots to him. Okada fought back though ultimately bodyslamming Fale, then nailed a somersault plancha to the floor wiping out all 3 Bullet Club members. Okada in control back inside as he hit a shotgun dropkick & Air Raid Crash for 2, then his elbow off the top as he did the Rainmaker pose, looked for his finish, but Fale pulled the ref in the way. Chase Owens attacks, but eats a dropkick. Okada actually tries for a Tombstone on Fale, then gets hit with a kendo stick by Jado (WHICH RED SHOES SEES BY THE WAY) as Fale tried……a sunset flip, but Okada sat down & got the 3 count. This was a bad match, I didn’t like a single thing about this other than Okada finally beat Fale in the G1 as he’s lost the last few times to him during the tournament. I’m just so over Fale at this point. He & Taichi are really testing my patience, even when they wrestle the best guys in the company.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. The first 5 minutes was fantastic back & forth mat wrestling with counters aplenty, this was just flat out great wrestling. They teased some flash pins off cradles by both and it ended with Tana hitting a Twist & Shout. Zack locks in an Octopus, but Tana quickly got out & nails a dragon screw. From there we got a backslide battle, which is something I’ve never typed I don’t think as it ended with a Tana Slingblade, but Zack quickly responded with a European Clutch for 2. Zack sunk in an arm breaker, but Tana stacked Zack & turned it into a Cloverleaf, but Zack quickly escaped into an Omoplata, but Tana miraculously got to the ropes. Zack went for a PK, but Tana caught it and Zack starts paintbrushing him until Tana hits a dragon screw, then Slingblade, then a standing High Fly Flow! He goes up for a proper one, but ZSJ gets the knees up and transitions into a triangle! Tana rolls through it and gets the bridge for the 1…2…3!! For the length this match went, I really wish it went longer, but I understand why they didn’t. Tana’s game plan was to surprise Sabre & he did. 3 matches in and Sabre has 0 points, which is astonishing as he throws another temper tantrum post match. This match flew by, at 14 minutes, it felt like 8.
Kota Ibushi vs. Will Ospreay Well, I watched this match live on my phone, while waiting to get my haircut, with no sound. So while I’m not going to go move by move like I do every other match since I can’t remember everything, just know, from a storytelling standpoint, this was one of the best professional wrestling matches I’ve ever seen. If you can, please go out of your way to check this out. These two went almost the entire 30 minutes (27 total) and since both were coming in with a bad ankle (Ibushi) and a stinger (Ospreay), they told a masterpiece level story as each man really fought their hardest to try not to let each of their injuries hamper them. They had counters for literally everything the other threw. If Ospreay wouldn’t be able to hit Pip Pip Cheerio, he’d target the ankle, try again & connect. Ibushi would cut off Ospreay with stiff kicks to the neck, which was heavily taped. At one point Ibushi had Ospreay trapped in the Tree of Woe and just knelt down next to him & gazed at him, almost messing with Ospreay, who was slapping at Ibushi while trapped, only for Ibushi to start lighting him up with kicks. Ospreay hit every move in his arsenal not named Storm Breaker and Ibushi was able to kick out. I remember I bit when he hit the Hidden Blade, but Ibushi got the rope. There was another nearfall where Ibushi hit a brutal Michinoku Driver. Ibushi hit a Bomaye, then finished Ospreay with a Kamigoye knee to end it. I honestly liked this match more than their WrestleKingdom one as both men went in with a known injury and had to pretty much adapt at times instead of going 1000 miles an hour. While the pace was quick, I really loved everything about this, I can’t emphasis enough how great each wrestlers selling was. Which, they’re both really hurting, so I assume it’s legit, so you can’t get much more authentic than that. It was weird having to watch this caliber of a match without sound. I almost suggest trying it sometime as even without it, I was legit drawn into it.
A Block Standings 6 points – KENTA, Kazuchika Okada 4 points – Lance Archer, EVIL 2 points - Bad Luck Fale, SANADA, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kota Ibushi 0 points - Zack Sabre Jr.
B Block Standings 4 points – Juice Robinson, Jon Moxley, Tomohiro Ishii 2 points - Toru Yano, Hirooki Goto, Shingo Takagi, Taichi 0 points - Tetsuya Naito, Jeff Cobb, Jay White
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All Drop In
Moderator
The Voice of Reason
Posts: 32,574
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Post by All Drop In on Jul 19, 2019 8:08:58 GMT -6
I still love Ibushi, but how many spots have we seen in the last year that should cause injury?
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